Rice production this year is the lowest in six years... Rice cultivation area is at record low

Rice production this year was the lowest in six years.

According to the '2026 Rice Production Survey Results' announced by the National Data Agency on the 13th, rice production this year was 3.508 million tons, down 0.9% from a year ago.

Rice production has decreased for five consecutive years, falling to the lowest level since 2020 (3.507 million tons).

Since related statistics were compiled in 1965, it is the fourth lowest in history, following 1968 (3.195 million tons), 1965 (3.501 million tons), and 2020.

The decrease in production appears to be largely due to the decrease in rice cultivation area.

The rice cultivation area was 670,000 ha, a decrease of 1.1%, the lowest ever.

As rice production measures such as strategic crop direct payment system and rice paddy crop conversion project are promoted, the rice cultivation area continues to decrease.

Production per 10a was 524 kg, an increase of 0.2%. The Data Center explained that this is because overall weather conditions for rice growth were good, reducing damage from diseases, pests, and water damage.

Rice production by province was highest in the following order: Gwangju, South Jeolla Province (736,000 tons), South Chungcheong Province (681,000 tons), and North Jeolla Province (526,000 tons).